YouTube is constantly experimenting with new features before releasing them widely. The latest test is called “Jump Ahead,” which analyzes user data to determine the most re-watched and engaging parts of a video. Jump Ahead then lets Premium subscribers skip ahead to those moments with one tap.
What is YouTube’s New “Jump Ahead” Feature?
The Jump Ahead functionality builds on YouTube’s existing double-tap to skip feature by automatically jumping to key points of interest in a video based on aggregated viewer data and machine learning.
- When enabled, Jump Ahead appears after a user double taps to skip forward. Tapping Jump Ahead will then skip them ahead to the next most popular/re-watched section of the video.
- This allows viewers to avoid manually scrubbing through less engaging sections of a video to find the best moments.
- Jump Ahead is currently showing up for a small number of YouTube Premium customers in the United States. Like other YouTube experiments, it could see wider availability if it receives positive feedback.
“By using aggregate viewer data and machine learning we’re experimenting with a new feature that automatically jumps to those moments users find most interesting.” – YouTube Spokesperson
Which Videos Will Have the Jump Ahead Feature?
YouTube has not provided specifics on exactly what makes a video eligible for Jump Ahead. However, some possibilities include:
- Videos above a certain length
- Videos with higher view counts
- Certain categories like vlogs, tutorials, etc.
- Manual editor curation for videos with clear user drops
More data is likely needed for longer videos in order to analyze where users are commonly scrubbing or dropping off. Jump Ahead may be limited to categories where repetitive intros/outros are common as well.
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Video Length | Longer videos needed for aggregate data |
| View Count | Popular videos have more user data |
| Categories | Where intros/outrosare common (vlogs, tutorials) |
| Editor Tags | Manually highlight engagement drops |
How Can the Jump Ahead Feature Improve Viewing?
Jump Ahead brings some key potential benefits for Premium subscribers:
- Saves time by skipping over repetitive or boring sections automatically
- Creates a more customized viewing experience based on aggregate user data
- Increases viewer retention for creators by removing sections where users normally drop off
- Provides an alternative to manual scrubbing to find the best moments
- Lets viewers skip intros/outros without having to remember timestamps
The feature ultimately aims to get viewers to the parts they care about faster. YouTube sees aggregate user data as a way to provide an enhanced, personalized viewing experience.
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When Will Jump Ahead Expand to More Viewers?
Since Jump Ahead is currently labeled an experiment, it is only showing for a small percentage of YouTube Premium users in the US. Like other YouTube tests features, it may begin rolling out more widely if it receives positive feedback.
Some possible expansion plans for Jump Ahead include:
- Initial expansion to Premium subscribers in more countries
- Adding support for non-Premium viewers
- Increasing availability from just iOS and Android apps to the YouTube website
- Optimization for Chromecast/smart TV playback
The rollout timeline isn’t clear yet, but wider availability is likely if user response remains positive. This allows YouTube to gradually optimize Jump Ahead before full-scale release.
Using Jump Ahead on Mobile and Desktop
Early reports indicate Jump Ahead is active on both iOS and Android mobile YouTube apps for some Premium subscribers. Availability on desktop or via browsers is still unconfirmed.
There are also differences in how users view content across desktop and mobile that could impact the utility of Jump Ahead:
- Lean-back viewing on televisions with longer average session duration
- Short-form viewing on smartphones with quicker user dropoff
This means Jump Ahead may see differentiated rollouts across platforms moving forward.
YouTube Premium Perks and Pricing
For those interested, YouTube Premium provides other benefits beyond Jump Ahead like:
- Ad-free viewing
- Ability to download videos offline
- Background/minimized playback on mobile
- Access to YouTube Music Premium
Pricing starts at $11.99 USD/month for an individual plan or $17.99 for a family plan covering up to 5 user profiles. There is also a 30-day free trial available.
Trying Other YouTube Experiments
In addition to Jump Ahead, YouTube is continually running various small scale tests. Users can sign up via YouTube’s experiments page to try out these features before they launch fully.
Participating in these experiments allows early access while also providing user feedback YouTube relies on when deciding which features deserve bigger rollout.
So in summary, Jump Ahead brings automated skipping based on user data to Premium subscribers. It’s currently small-scale but shows promise of wider availability moving forward.